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June - 2006 Speakers reflect North American CONNECTING AND IN- FORMING GAY, LESBIAN, diversity at ecumenical queer BISEXUAL, AND TRANS- GENDER PEOPLE AND THEIR FRIENDS ACROSS conference THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA. rganizers of the first‐ever Sants, a Latvian Lutheran psychologist will WORKING FOR JUSTICE ecumenical queer conference of invite conference attendees to “claim the AND FULL PARTCIPATION its kind recently announced the future” as they discuss the future LGBT OF PEOPLE OF ALL SEX- UAL ORIENTATIONS AND event’s keynote speakers. Irene communities face in North America and OMonroe, an African American lesbian beyond. GENDER IDENTITIES IN THE UNITED minister and theologian from Harvard, and “The size of this conference, as well as CHURCH AND Martin Brokenleg, a gay Aboriginal the diversity and creativity of the planning THE WORLD. professor at Vancouver School of Theology, group, offers everyone the chance to find will address attendees at the Together in connection, involvement, fun, and Toronto: Claiming an Open Spirit rejuvenation,” noted co‐chair Shannon INSIDE THIS conference this summer. Neufeldt. “It will all be held together with ISSUE Monroe is a religious columnist and the spirit of mutuality and receptivity for motivational speaker. Her articles have which the event is named.” appeared in the The Advocate, The Boston More than two dozen workshops on 2 Reflections from the co-chairs Globe, and Venus Magazine. Brokenleg has subjects ranging from spirituality to co‐authored several books and has activism to the particular experiences of 4 Affirming ministries extensive experience in teaching religious, transgender persons, youth, and ex‐gay news: Four more United gender, and Native youth studies. Monroe survivors (people who were formerly Church ministries become and Brokenleg will speak during the members of “ex‐gay” organizations) are Affirming conference’s opening and closing plenary included in the conference programming. sessions. Together in Toronto: Claiming an 6 Metropolitan United “I am extremely excited by the keynote Open Spirit takes place at the University of celebrates 7 years and speakers who will bring a truly North Toronto from Thursday, July 27 to Sunday, Glen Rhodes cele- American theological and spiritual July 30, 2006. It is sponsored by three brates perspective to our conference,” said lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer 10 years as Affirming conference co‐chair Ralph Wushke. and allied organizations from Christian congregations Other plenary sessions will include a faith traditions: Affirm United/S’affirmer 7 Reflections on same- tri‐perspective with Mennonite Anita Fast, ensemble (United Church of Canada), the sex marriage United Church New Testament scholar Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian Karen Williams, and Lutheran David Wiess, Gay Bisexual Transgender Interests (BMC), 8 Transgender issues who will lead discussions on queer readings and Lutherans Concerned/North America of scripture. Provocateurs Cheri DiNovo, (LC/NA). Over 400 people spanning a 10 Membership renewal the “radical reverend from Toronto,” Katie variety of gender identities, sexual Hochstedler, a Bretheren Mennonite orientations, ages, abilities, and ethno‐ 11 Affirm United leader- Council youth from Minneapolis, and Maris cultural diversities are expected to attend. P.O. Box 57057 Somerset Stn. Ottawa, ON K1R 1A1 www.affirmunited.ca INSIDE consensus ♦ Consensus is the newsletter of Affirm United, an organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, Reflections at Eastertide and transgender people and their friends within The United Church of Canada. Opinions expressed are those s we near the end of to the walker on the shore. of the authors and do not necessarily Eastertide, the liturgical As we make plans to gather reflect the views of Affirm United. Your time between Easter and together in Toronto, may we prepare news stories, articles, and letters are Pentecost, it seems fitting to in this season of Eastertide, by always welcome. Consensus Aconsider the tidal qualities of our continually opening ourselves to a God reserves the right to edit for length, clarity or style. resurrection faith. For resurrection who changes us, surprises us, informs faith brings surprises, laying them us, beckons and draws us. May it be so Send to; before us as though they were dropped within us, among us and beyond us! by an outgoing tide. Its offerings Amen. [email protected] connect us with people in far‐off Consensus places; its gifts include living things, On a personal note 1120 Moselle Cresc. such as hope and love. Sally Harris and Wilson MacLennan, Ottawa, ON It breaks upon us as waters upon Affirm United / S’affirmer ensemble K1C 2T2 the shore, moulding and shaping. co‐chairs, are pleased that Wilson has 613-841-2354 Sometimes it smoothes our rough and relocated from Winnipeg to Edmonton, jagged edges and at other times it pulls which means he is closer to the west Contributors to this issue: at us to expose new sharpness. It coast. This move also means that the Edward Avey, Ruth Bramham, Malcolm uncovers what has previously been National Council has a council mem‐ Campbell, Ann B. Day, Ken Delisle, Gra- hidden. For faith reminds us of Godʹs ber living in Alberta. Wilson looks ham Down, Donna E. Enberg, Sally Harris, compassion; Godʹs grace, both ever in forward to working closely with Eldon Hay, Anne Hebb, Wilson MacLen- motion as the sea, both ever present Affirm United members and with The nan, whether we are at high or low points United Church of Canada in Alberta Bob Martyn, Ralph Carl Wushke in our lives. Faith constantly beckons. and Northwest Conference. It seems to stretch toward us as the Managing Editor: Alyson Huntly See you in Toronto! Editors: Péter Balogh, Andrea Nugent, waters of a new‐broken wave reach out D’thea Webster Layout: Colleen Adair Design: JAC Design Interfaith Conference— Transforming Faith: A Transgender Witness Oct. 21-22 First United Methodist Church, Corvallis, OR Brought to you by I have just finished The Community of Welcoming Congregations and the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies. reading. Featuring keynote speaker Virginia Ramey Mollenkott and plenary speakers Erin Swenson, the November 2005 issue. I will be passing around the Malcolm Himschoot, and Justin Tanis, Eldon Hay article [Some congregations are raising fences and Saturday evening concert with against same‐sex marriage, p. 10], as we too are in the gospel choir Transcendence. process of ʺmarriage policy.ʺ Thanks for a great issue. Registration will open soon. I know how hard it is to get material in and then to Stay tuned for more details. create such a masterpiece. Keep up the good work. Contact Tara Wilkins, Executive Director of The Community of Welcoming Congregations Edward Avey ([email protected]) if you want to lead a workshop or volunteer. Dashwood, Ontario 2 consensus spring 2006 Together in Toronto sure to entertain s anticipation builds, organizers say Together participants can enjoy the university campus with its in Toronto: Claiming an Open Spirit promises many Oxford‐like colleges and quadrangles or visit to offer something for everyone through its Church Street, just a few blocks away, to experience tantalizing array of activities and options. The Toronto’s version of The Castro. Aconference will be diverse and creative as participants Running concurrently with the conference is the claim an open Spirit as God’s people who are lesbian, Together in Toronto: Film Festival presenting recent and gay, bisexual, transgendered, historical documentaries and allied or in any way queer. Affirm United’s feature films, including the And it’s not all work and no Annual General Meeting ground‐breaking 1965 gay play. Beyond the daily love classic, Winter Kept Us plenary sessions and work‐ will take place Warm, filmed on the shops, organizers have Friday July 28, 1:00-3:00 p.m. University of Toronto campus. planned activities and events Childcare and youth as diverse as the conference and Saturday July 29, 1:00-3:00 p.m. programming will be goers themselves. provided during program Together in Toronto offers participants the sessions. opportunity to meet queer Christians and allies from Annual business sessions for Affirm United/ other traditions. For Affirm United/S’affirmer ensemble S’affirmer ensemble, Lutherans Concerned/North members and other Canadians, this will be a unique America, and the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT opportunity to gather withLutherans Concerned/ North Interests will also be held during Together in Toronto. America, as well as Brethren and Mennonites from all Affirm United’s Annual General Meeting will take place over North America. in two sessions: Friday July 28, 1:00‐3:00 p.m. and Participants can sign up for an Open Spirit Forum Saturday July 29, 1:00‐3:00 p.m. when they register. There are forums for many groups: For more information and to register visit: ethno‐culturally identified persons, queer seniors, fami‐ http://www.openspirit.ca lies of LGBT persons, allies, queer families, transgender persons, bisexuals, young adults and queers on campus. Attendees can also create their own affinity group. T-shirts with logo for sale After the first day of conference activities, organizers have planned an evening of socializing and Affirm United T-shirts, featuring the entertainment at the Together in Toronto Coffee House. group’s new rainbow logo on a black This open‐microphone event will be emceed by Jan Braun, a queer Mennonite author and spoken‐word artist background, are now for sale by mail. On the back of from Winnipeg. Jan will also perform some of her the t-shirt are the words "Affirming Ministries - original work. Communautes Inclusives" (in a circle, with the middle On the second night of the conference, two gifted – filled with image of three stylized figures linking and spirited – queer performers will entertain. The incisively witty singer/songwriter Evalyn Parry will arms in front of a cross). perform poetic commentaries and boldly satirical songs.
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